July 12, 2015
Sorghum is now Queensland’s highest valued cereal grain, with last summer’s production estimated to be worth $432 million.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries director Rex Williams said this was a huge milestone for the crop.
“The continuing expansion of sorghum production in Queensland owes much to the success of our world-class genetic improvement program,” Dr Williams said.
“DAF works in partnership with the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to provide better sorghum outcomes for growers and industries.
“This innovative program links cutting-edge research and training across a range of scientific disciplines to increase yield and crop resilience in the face of drought, insects and disease, for a diverse range of sorghum uses.
“Every grain of Australia’s sorghum crop contains at least some elite germplasm bred by this partnership.
“For example, our stay-green sorghum produces greater grain yields with less crop losses from drought and lodging.”
QAAFI Professor David Jordan, who leads the sorghum improvement program, said there was potential to further boost sorghum yields.
“We are looking at improving the efficiency of water conversion in sorghum, which will increase productivity during low-rainfall and El Nino conditions,” Prof Jordan said.
The Queensland researchers have also been awarded a major funding contract by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the sorghum drought-proofing work, which will further improve productivity of Queensland sorghum growers and smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia.
While Australian-grown sorghum is predominately used for animal feed, Dr Williams said this research was also helping Queensland growers to capitalise on increasing demand for sorghum in a range of alternative uses.
“Sorghum is a staple food for about 500 million people around the world and, with its significant nutritional qualities, is also making its mark in the health food industry as a gluten-free alternative to wheat,” Dr Williams said.
“Sorghum is also being used as a base ingredient for Chinese alcohol and even in a bio-refinery for ethanol fuel production at Dalby, Queensland.”
- External link: Grow Notes for Sorghum
